According to the recent survey (2005) about 20-25% of the population of Okinawa and the Ryukyus
favor independence from Japan.

One of the leading forces behind that (since 1970) was Ryukyu Independent Party, which became
the Kariyushi Club (かりゆしクラブ) in March 2008.

They advocate the creation of the Republic of Ryukyus (琉球独立党) with the
flag they describe as:

Sansei Ten'yo-ki (三星天洋旗), literally "the Flag of Three Stars, the Sky
and the Ocean". The flag is designed by Nuka (Takehiko Noka). The party also plans to use it as the flag
of the Republic, when it gains an independence. Navy and light blue (or 'blue', according to the
party) stand for the ocean and the sky on Ryukyu. The white star shows morality and reason. The
red star shows pride and passion. The yellow star shows peace and prosperity. The red and
yellow stars have white borders, as the party put much faith in morality.

Okinawa Independence Party

by Jaume Ollé

Buraku

Buraku Liberation League 日本語 部落解放同盟の旗

image by Jakub Grombíř, 30 October 2008

Buraku people (BLL) (Burakumin in Japanese) are specific social group, the
lowest caste in Japan. They are not distinct from Japanese in ethnic
way: they are offspring of poor people in the Middle Ages, who had to
make "unclear works" and still are considered as subordinate class.
Buraku means "people from village", because they had to live in
separated communities. There is estimated about two million of Buraku
people, mostly in south-western Japan. Buraku Liberation League is
leftist movement struggling for full citizen rights for Buraku. Their
flag is red with black canton bearing red thorn crown and white star.Jakub Grombíř, 30 October 2008

The flag is shown on Wikipedia Commons,
as contributed by "Kzaral" on 18 January 2008, who adds that "the flag design
based on the former BLL flag".Ivan Sache, 31 October 2008

Former Buraku Liberation League Flag

National Levelers Association

image by Ivan Sache, 31 October 2008

The former BLL flag is shown on Wikipedia Commons,
as contributed by "Kzarai" on 18 January 2008, who labels it "The Crown of Thorns Flag,
the Flag of National Levelers Association. Also used as the former
flag of Buraku Liberation League." and adds "The flag was designed by
Mankichi Saiko, 1923." The flag is black with the crown of thorns and
no star.

The National Levelers Association, founded in 1922, was disbanded in
1942. In 1946, it reemerged as the Buraku National Liberation
Committee, renamed the Buraku Liberation League in 1955.